WE BUY U.S. PAPER CURRENCY
Most people aren’t sure what their old paper money is actually worth.
Some notes are only worth face value, while others can be worth hundreds or even thousands depending on rarity, condition, and demand.
At Oakton Coins & Collectibles, we evaluate U.S. paper currency every day. Whether you have a single bill or an entire collection, we can quickly determine what you have and what it’s worth — with no pressure to sell.
We buy everything from common circulated notes to rare collectible currency, including large size notes, silver certificates, gold certificates, and more.
Types of U.S. Paper Money We Buy
We regularly purchase:
Gold Certificates
Silver Certificates
National Bank Notes
Treasury Notes (Coin Notes)
Federal Reserve Notes (older and collectible types)
Federal Reserve Bank Notes
Large Size Notes (pre-1928)
Small Size Notes (modern-era collectibles)
Fractional Currency (Civil War era)
Colonial Currency
Continental Currency
Confederate Currency
Obsolete / Broken Bank Notes
Error Notes
Star Notes
From a single note to a full collection, we are always interested in taking a look.
We See More Than Just U.S. Paper Money
While this page focuses on U.S. paper currency, we regularly evaluate a much wider range of paper money.
In our shop, we commonly see:
World paper currency from all countries and time periods
Obsolete banknotes issued by private banks in the 1800s
Colonial and Continental currency from early American history
Confederate currency from the Civil War era
Some of these items have strong collector value, while others are more common. We’re happy to review everything and explain what you have.
What Makes Paper Money Valuable?
The value of paper currency depends on several key factors:
Rarity
Some notes were printed in small quantities or have low survival rates today.
Condition (Grade)
Crisp, uncirculated notes are worth significantly more than heavily circulated ones.
Type of Note
Certain categories — like large size notes, gold certificates, or national bank notes — tend to carry stronger collector demand.
Serial Numbers
Low numbers, repeating numbers, or “star notes” can increase value.
Collector Demand
Some notes are popular because of their design, history, or nickname.
Famous U.S. Paper Money Nicknames
Collectors often refer to certain notes by nickname, including:
“Rainbow” $10 Legal Tender (Series 1869)
“Bison” $10 Legal Tender (Series 1901)
“Woodchopper” $5 Legal Tender (Series 1907)
“Sawhorse Back” $1 Legal Tender (Series 1917)
These are widely recognized and can carry strong collector demand depending on condition.
How Condition Affects Value
Paper money condition — known as “grading” — has a major impact on value.
A crisp, uncirculated note can be worth many times more than the same note in worn condition.
Good (G)
Heavily circulated with significant wear, tears, or missing corners.
Very Good (VG)
Well-worn with multiple folds, creases, and possible small tears.
Fine (F)
Moderate circulation with visible folds and light wear.
Very Fine (VF)
Still somewhat crisp with several folds but no major damage.
Extra Fine (XF)
Light handling with minimal folds and strong eye appeal.
About Uncirculated (AU)
Nearly new with only slight signs of handling.
Crisp Uncirculated (CU)
No circulation. Bright, crisp paper with sharp corners.
How We Value Your Paper Currency
We evaluate paper money using multiple real-world market sources, including:
Dealer pricing guides such as the Certified Currency Dealer Newsletter (Green Sheet)
Recent auction results
Collector demand and market activity
Population reports and rarity data
We also review notes that are already graded by PMG, PCGS Banknote, Legacy, and other services, as well as raw (ungraded) collections.
If appropriate, we can also advise whether professional grading may help increase the value of your notes.
Sell Your Paper Money in Chicago
If you’re in Chicago, Skokie, Evanston, or nearby suburbs, bring your paper currency to Oakton Coins & Collectibles for a free evaluation.
We’ll explain exactly what you have and how it’s valued — whether you decide to sell or not.
No pressure, no obligation, just clear information from experienced buyers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Paper Money
Do you buy $2 bills?
Most modern $2 bills are still being printed and distributed by banks, so they typically only have face value. Because of this, we generally do not purchase modern $2 bills.
However, older or unusual $2 notes (especially large size or rare series) can carry collector value, and we’re always happy to take a look.
Is my old paper money worth anything?
Some paper money is only worth face value, while other notes can be worth significantly more depending on rarity, condition, and demand. We can quickly evaluate your currency and explain what you have.
Do serial numbers make a difference?
Yes. Certain serial numbers — such as low numbers or repeating patterns — can increase a note’s value to collectors. However, most notes with standard serial numbers do not carry a premium.
What are star notes?
Star notes are replacement bills printed by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing to replace damaged notes. They are identified by a small star in the serial number and can sometimes carry additional value, though most are still worth close to face value unless they are scarce or in high grade.
Do I need my paper money graded before selling?
No. Most collections do not need formal grading before being sold. We can evaluate your notes and let you know if professional grading would help increase their value.
Do you buy foreign paper money?
Yes. We regularly evaluate and purchase world paper currency, though value varies widely depending on the note.